Norman Cross Trimaran

[Jerry_Lincoln]

I almost bought an old Norman Cross Trimaran. It looks like it was custom built. It had some greatr lines and was very fast. Does anyone know where I can get plans for a Norman Cross Trimaran?

[boatgm]

http://www.2hulls.com/usedtrimaran-2000/triumph.html

[jetcross18]

I have all of Norm Cross' original work and can produce plan sets for any design he did.

Go to www.crossmultihulls.com or email me at jeff@crossmultihulls.com

Jeff Turner

[durangoyaya]

Hi
I built the hulls for Norman Cross in the 60's and 70's in my boat yard in Harbor City California. I absolutely loved this man and his designs. I built my own 36' which was completely customized and sailed around the world with out incident. I was disappointed that after his death his wife did not pass this on to someone. I heard there were plans available through a historic yacht association in San Diego. I never followed through. You were able to buy plans after his death through her. Many home boat builders latched onto this designer and saw the briallance of his work. He helped many people attain thier dream of freedom on a sail boat. He also attracted the backyard kook. I would examine the bulk heads and the hulls very carefully. The mast placement was critical on this boats. The double diagonal planking can be examined fron the iterior and the fiberglass should be examined from the exterior. If you do not know the history of the boat, I would pull it out and do a thourough inspection.
Cindy

[jetcross18]

CROSS Multihull Design trimaran and catamaran plans are available at www.crossmultihulls.com

[Pat Ross]

durangoyaya are you still a member of the group. I would like to talk with you about your cruising experiences with the modified Cross you sailed. Specifically model, pointing, crusining performance, etc...

Hi
I built the hulls for Norman Cross in the 60's and 70's in my boat yard in Harbor City California. I absolutely loved this man and his designs. I built my own 36' which was completely customized and sailed around the world with out incident. I was disappointed that after his death his wife did not pass this on to someone. I heard there were plans available through a historic yacht association in San Diego. I never followed through. You were able to buy plans after his death through her. Many home boat builders latched onto this designer and saw the briallance of his work. He helped many people attain thier dream of freedom on a sail boat. He also attracted the backyard kook. I would examine the bulk heads and the hulls very carefully. The mast placement was critical on this boats. The double diagonal planking can be examined fron the iterior and the fiberglass should be examined from the exterior. If you do not know the history of the boat, I would pull it out and do a thourough inspection.
Cindy

[Tri guy]

Hey All,

I have just completed a circumnavigation of the Pacific with a modified Cross 46 MkIIB. The Vaka was extended two feet at the stern giving a better exit profile and the main skeg keel was removed and she was fitted with dagger boards in each Ama. The ketch rig was replaced with a rig from a Catana 52 and the position of the original mast was maintained. The jib is 100% and really pulls the boat. Both main and jib are very heavy, 12oz for the jib and two layers of 7 oz for the main.

In light airs, 5-7kts we were able to do 4-5kts and in 10-15kts it was 7-10kts. In 15-20kts she would do 10-12kts. Any faster and you're not cruising. Our best day was 241nm and our worst day was -11nm on the rhumb line after 145nm over the water(bad winds in the Southern Ocean).

In Opua, Bay of Islands, I met and had conversations with AW Legge who knew Norm and his wife and had worked with Norm in the States and has built Morrelli and Melvin designs, so knows multis fairly well. In his opinion, Norm's tri's were beauty and function in one package. I couldn't agree more. Jeff Turner is probably the best resource for Cross design support.

If I can be of assistance, contact me.

Dale
S/V Moxie, Cross 46 MKIIB

[bertbeck]

I've just purchased a Cross 36 (Velos). I'm looking for a designer to help with modifications to reduce the draft (possibly remove the keel) and add daggerboards or possibly fins in the almas. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks

Bert

[fhrussell]

Bert,
you might want to to talk to Jim Brown. He's not too far from you, if you are still in VA Beach. Contact me via PM.
Frank

[Elysium]

I purchased a cross 44 in 2004 in Ft Lauderdale and and currently in Fiji, I would like to know more about the boat I have. When I return I will look for a hull number, she is a well built 1968 Cross ketch rig...any advise
caribbeanislandsailing point com

[jayw]

Go to Cross web site they have a few designer/builders offering some plans.

There is a Cross in Maine for sale 36 that owner is selling as in "good condition" it is a project boat. nothing disclosed. He painted over rotten wood before my visit to see boat . I could put my finger thru hull below waterline. and may other places.

Engine mounts were on ply wood, untreated at that.

Glass was delaminating everywhere. This tri (Cross look great from 50 yards.

Moral..be careful of builders/ owners. Cold molded is only as good as builder and subsequent care.

Also some owners are not honest and waste your time traveling to a boat that needs to be completely redone. without disclosing this. If you do not find the problems they will not tell you. Bad way to live. Be careful

Good luck. There are nice crosses if you wait they come around 70-80K but have a thourough survey done with someone familiar with cold molded construction.
and check out builder if possible. Red flags if appear will generally multiply in numbers

jw

[LucianoCovati]

JW
I looked at a Cross 36 near Bangor (Winterport) ME last year. They were asking $36,000. It was a 1987/88 build with Florida registration numbers. Would this be the same boat?
Lucky

[captfolly]

hey jw...we were interested in that cross also...thinking to go north to go see it...the owner didn't mention any extensive delam or rot, just a little soft spot on the hull he was going to repair...we are looking for a tri that might need some tlc...but don't really want a major project...is the boat worth a look?

regards,

george

[Pedigree Cats]

For you Cross fans and I am included, he visited our yard often. http://www.pedigreecats.com/agape.jpg

[zigzag]

Dear Norman Cross fans, does anyone have an update on Jeff Turner as he is not answering mail ? I need plans for a 36' hard chine Cross design urgently.

[bertbeck]

Jeff Turner seems to have disappeared. I have a Cross 36' Ketch and plans for it - if there's something you'd like me to check I can take a look.

Bert

[bertbeck]

I'm rebuilding and extending a 36' Cross - adding an extra 4' and re-doing the hulls (adding 3' to the floats). I have 1/2" plywood that had 1 layer of glass. I am thinking about significantly beefing this up and am looking for opinions (or better yet experience) on this. It's old - 1964 - plywood and fasteners are so so. Not bad - but I imagine 1/2 the strength or less that when new.

I am considering these options:

1. adding 1 layer of 10oz glass 1, plus 1 layer 3/8" cedar on 45 degrees, plus 1 layer 1/4" ockoume marine ply at 45 degrees + 2 4oz layers of Dynel for sheathing and toughness. The cedar to give me some extra displacement at low weight, the plywood for strength - making a plywood sandwich with the cedar in the middle.

2. adding 1 layer 3/8" cedar on 45 degrees (no glass underneath), plus 1 layer 1/4" okoume marine ply at 45 degrees + 2 4oz layers of Dynel.

3. 1 layer 1/4" okoume marine ply at 45 degrees + 2 4oz layers of Dynel.

4. 1 layer of 10oz cloth, 3/8" corecell foam, 1/4" okoume marine ply,
2 layers Dynel

5. 1 layer of 10oz cloth, 3/8" corecell foam, 2 layers Dynel

6. Just 2 layers of 20oz biaxal cloth.

I am strengthening all areas of the boat and lengthening the cockpit and read cabin. Goal is to have a more comfortable boat, and one that survive significant impact - will be gunkholing and exploring. It will be in the water most of the time - before it was a 4 month per year canadian boat - I think that's why the ply survived so long.

I'm very interested in the tradeoffs and approaches to making a hull stronger. I see the weight as the downside, that's why I like adding cedar or corecell. I like the added insulation value as well and a little more bouyancy to compensate for the other changes I'm making. I have also removed the long keel and will replace with a much shorter one, daggers or leeboards - haven't decided yet.

All comments appreciated - I'm using this project as a learning experience for more boat building -

Bert

[Pat Ross]

I am looking for a set of Cross Trimaran plans for the 48B Plan or larger in Airex.

Please contact me if you have a suggestion. I have been unable to contact Jeff as well. Hope all is well with him.

Pat Ross

pat@multihulldynamics.com

[Paul B]

I am looking for a set of Cross Trimaran plans for the 48B Plan or larger in Airex.

Please contact me if you have a suggestion. I have been unable to contact Jeff as well. Hope all is well with him.

Pat Ross

pat@multihulldynamics.com


I just ran across Jeff at the club. He was rigging his boat.

He had an identity theft problem at the end of last year, then moved house. So he is still a couple of weeks away from having access to his e-mail accounts and his website.

Check back with his Cross website in 2 or 3 weeks and hopefully he will be back in control.

[Lucianowestphal]

Hy i have a 38 Norman Cross here in BRasil , i have the plans too. If you want the plans of these 38 we can see how send it to you.

[Lucianowestphal]

My name is Luciano, and I'm from Brazil. I own a Norman Cross 38 1972 for more than 15 years.

In the past the boat was 2 rigs ( Ketch ). However, the wooden rigs were rotten, and I switched the 2 rigs to one bigger aluminium rig that is in the same place of the older front rig. I removed the back rig out and installed a bigger rig in the same place of the older.
Now I"m refurbishing the boat and i just whant to know if the rig position can be the same as before. Do I have to replace the rig forward or backward for better performance ?

Before the front rig was 12 meters( 36 feet ) and back rig 8 meters (24 feet ).
Now I only have the front aluminium rig 15,5 meter ( 46 feet ).

[johnholland4]

Nice to see all the enthusiasm for Norm Cross designs. I just bought a 30' earlier this year and was struck immediately by the sweet lines that the cold-molded cedar allowed, the simple, roomy interior. Boat needed a lot of tlc. I have about another month when I return to Florida in November, then hope to load up the kayaks and head for the Rio Dulce. Did we get any confirmation that Jeff Turner is still with us?

[ThomD]

Bert,

I sail out of Grand Lake part of the year.


"I'm rebuilding and extending a 36' Cross - adding an extra 4' and re-doing the hulls (adding 3' to the floats). I have 1/2" plywood that had 1 layer of glass. I am thinking about significantly beefing this up and am looking for opinions (or better yet experience) on this. It's old - 1964 - plywood and fasteners are so so. Not bad - but I imagine 1/2 the strength or less that when new.

What exactly is wrong, wood will last relatively indefinetly unless it gets wet. If it gets wet and/or rots, either one will compromise the wood and will not be amenable to any of the options you mention.

1/2" ply in a 36' boat is massive to my way of thinking. So I would be loath to add extra weight. The fact the displacement will be increased is less of a consolation on a multi than a lead mine, since extra weight in the wrong part of the multi can be rough on the structure or adversly affect the distribution of bouyancy.

Without knowing more about the boat it is hard to know how you should proceed. I woudl generally be loath to change the whole scantling of the boat. If it were mine, I would want to know what the real issues are and undertake restoration to original or improved scantling (lighter for the same strength). All of this would be a better education in boat building for you than beefing a design up. Tri are like aircraft, extra weight is not good design.

[johnholland4]

Here's another Norm Cross question (though obviously not specific to Cross tris). Has anyone had experience with self-steering mechanisms. I'm looking to buy one. Any advice? I have a Norm Cross 30' tri with tiller steering and an outboard rudder, with outboard motor on the port side of transom. Am looking at a Cape Horn self-steering right now. Anyone???? Also interested in used if they're around. John

[jmolan]

I have had two Auto-Helm's, One I built as a copy, and another one that came with this boat. Outboard rudder 34' Trimaran. It is really the best way to go ifyou have a tri and outboard rudder. What I mean is, trim tab, and wind vane.
Should be a few pics of it in the URL below. They are not cheap by a long shot, but then again, it was not that hard to build. After building one in Aluminum I figured the next one would be Sced. 80 PVC......if you look at it, it is real simple

http://tinyurl.com/mml2sc
http://tinyurl.com/m7orsv

[johnholland4]

J - Thanks for that. I looked at both your sites but couldn't make out much on the sterns. Any plans or views of that home-built system? Searunner and beemer! You're in my universe buddy. John.

[jmolan]

Sorry for my slow reply. I had to dig these shots up and re-size them. I do not have any shots of the home made unit, it was before digital photo's. It looked exactly like this unit though. I had it anodized and everything. It worked really well. So does this unit.
Basically all you need to do is transfer the horizontal movement of the the vane through a set of ss bike cables to a trim tab mounted behind the rudder. It works really well. You adjust course by adjusting the base of the vane. Whichever way the front of the base is pointing you will be steering.
The secret to good self steering is to have a boat that steers well. A boat that is light on the helm, will be light on the vane set up.

[johnholland4]

That does look pretty neat. I'll try it. Thanks for the pics and advice. John. (Toronto).

[Wally]

I just ran across Jeff at the club. He was rigging his boat.

He had an identity theft problem at the end of last year, then moved house. So he is still a couple of weeks away from having access to his e-mail accounts and his website.

Check back with his Cross website in 2 or 3 weeks and hopefully he will be back in control.

Hi Paul B
I'm looking for Jeff as he is supposed to be sending me study plans for the Cross 18 & I've been unable to get a reply using his e-mail address. Please can u let me know what's happened to him.
ta
Wally

[kelldog]

Hello;
Any word on Jeff Turner? I still need to get in touch with him regarding my Cross 28.
Thank you.
Kelly
Cross 28/30
S/V Mystic

[braam berrub]

kelldog
I'm interested in the 28 - could you tell me a bit about it?
what is the rudder configuration - skeg or spade?
how's it sail?
thanks in advance for any info.

[kelldog]

Hello Braam;
The rudder on my Cross is transome hung. It was designed to breakaway if something hit it to avoid damage. The boat sails well and I am still learning it's characteristics. The main hull was stretched 2 feet in the stern so it is 30ft really. Cross Trimarans are awesome.

Kelly.

[braam berrub]

Thanks Kelly.

Is the keel as designed or was it modified also?

[kelldog]

Hi Braam;
My Cross has a centerboard in the main hull on the starboard side. I raise and lower it from the cockpit. Are you looking at a Cross? I think 99.9% of them will have a cross keel. I know of several 38 ft's out there and I did see one Cross 28 in Florida i think but have no info on it except it was for sale several years ago. it would be awesome to find the owner to compare notes.

Anyway, hope this helps.
Kelly.

[braam berrub]

Thanks!
Have you had any luck contacting Jeff Turner?

[kelldog]

No, He has not responded back. I do need to speak with him. Strange. Hope all is well with him.

[sngatlanta]

FYI I emailed Jeff on the 27 of Feb. 2010 and got a reply within a few days on 1st March so he's back in touch.

[kelldog]

Thanks for the heads up. I emailed him and he emailed back pretty quick.

[Jemstruct]

Cross trimarans are terrific - if I could get hold of Jeff Turner I would buy a set of
Cross 18 plans! Can anyone help me? -- John

[DarthCluin]

February of 2009 I emailed Jeff requesting a price for study plans for the Cross 26 and 27. Three months later he sent me an email offering the study plans for $25 each, or $40, for both boats. He also offered the full plans for both boats for $400 total. I seriously considered ordering the full plans, but the three month resonse time bothered me. I emailed him that I would like the study plans, and paid for them via PayPal.
I never heard from him again.
I could have filed a dispute through PayPal, but to this day I would still like the study plans, even though I am no longer interested in the full plans.
Caveat emptor.
If you are interested in building an 18' trimaran, go here:
http://www.teamscarab.com.au/scarab18/design.html
These are thoroughly modern designs, and the plans are only $150. They are emailed as PDF's within 24 hours.

[Jemstruct]

Jeff gave an interview to Joe Farinaccio - "Small Tri Guy" - in March 2010 on his web site 'Small Trimarans' and others have reported successful contact with him on this forum. Also I have been told that he feels he has been the subject of 'identity theft', so I have not totally given up on him.
On another tack Eric Dahlkamp, who has published a number of Cross 18 clips on You Tube, advertised an unused set of plans on this forum. Does anyone know his current contact address? Its just possible he may still have them, though it was many years ago.
Darth, I've looked at Scarab already. A fine looking tri. and seemingly superb value.... but I would still like to pursue the C18! -- John

[oldsailor7]

I had a Piver "Nugget" trimaran.
I wanted more room in the main hull, so I eliminated the daggerboard case and fitted a Norm Cross LAR keel. It transformed the boat.
We were able to sleep four in comfort and it went to windward well and tacked fast. I knew Norm well. He was a lovely guy, friendly and generous. :D

[Jemstruct]

Do either Kelldog or sngatlanta have alternative contact addresses for Jeff Turner? They seem to be the two people who have been in contact with him most recently.

oldsailor7 - I'm interested to hear about substituting a Norman Cross LAR keel on your Piver. Richard Woods used them to good effect on hit Strider Club for the same reasons as you did, and I see that McGowan and Schacht are proposing to use them on their Evergreen 6.0 concept design, but this is the first time that I've heard of them being used on tri's. Yes everyone says Norm Cross was a delightful chap - I wish I had met him.

[oldsailor7]

oldsailor7 - I'm interested to hear about substituting a Norman Cross LAR keel on your Piver.

I merely took the LAR keel as shown on Norms 24ft Tri and put it on the Nugget. Unfortunately I no longer have the drawings. :(

[DarthCluin]

I have a general arrangement drawing of the Cross 24, but it doesn't detail the LAR keel. For what its worth, I do have a sheet of construction details for the Cross 30 that shows the a LAR keel.

[kelldog]

Hello Jemstruct;
In 2007 I had contacted Jeff about my Cross 28. He came down and brought me some drawings for a repair I needed to do on the mast step. I have not had any further contact with him and now I am residing in Florida.

I sold my Cross 28 to a friend and he is sailing quite abit. I miss that Tri!
I hope Jeff surfaces again because he has most of the plans for Norm Cross Trimarans.

Before I got the Cross, I had a Piver Nimble with a Cross Keel. That was a great sailing Trimaran...A lot of Piver Trimarans have added the Keel addition and it really makes a difference I think. (based on my experience with my Nimble of course.)

Kelly.

[Jemstruct]

Jeff Turner has resurfaced - received email from him yesterday stating that the problems that he has been having have been resolved. Thanks everyone for your support. John

[kelldog]

That is great news indeed!